Page 23 of The Chameleon

Stand there all you want. I see you moving.

“And where are you boys going?”

Jared scratched the back of his head, eyes searching every corner of the room for an answer. His biceps bulged as he waited for an answer to come. “Umm, nowhere?”

Matteo took another step toward the door, then stopped when he noticed eight large shadows moving in unison.

He turned around, annoyed. “Okay, what’s with the separation anxiety?”

Levi stared down at the floor while Isaac began playing with the bottom of his shirt. It was Diesel who finally gathered the balls to speak.

“We’re worried about you, M. You haven’t been yourself these past few weeks, and we just wanted to make sure that you’re okay.”

Matteo’s heart melted. These boys, who were not his biological children, cared. They knew something was wrong with their “father” and wanted to make sure that he was okay.

How many biological dads could say that their twenty-something children showed this level of care?

“That, and we kind of miss spending time with you,” Levi added sheepishly from the back of the group. The look in his eyes tugged at Matteo’s heartstrings.

Okay, he’ll admit that he may have missed a few family breakfasts these past few weeks. Choosing instead to lie in bed,staring up at the ceiling and wondering what he was doing with his life.

Given all the changes that have taken place over the past few months, coupled with his parents’ pending anniversary, Matteo had started questioning some of his own personal life choices.

Was he having a mid-life crisis?

No, he didn’t think so. He hadn’t bought any new cars lately or started dating a man half his age… well, he did fuck two the other night… Yeah, but that was just sex. Blowing some steam and emptying his balls. It meant nothing.

A reflection, perhaps?On his views and the current direction of his life.Was he happy?

Seeing so many of the young men he had protected find their special someone and seem so excited about their futures made Matteo want to reevaluate the protective wall he had erected around his heart. Was it time to start taking down the bricks one at a time?

Staring at all their concerned faces, Matteo suddenly felt guilty. He had committed the cardinal family sin—he had been neglecting his family.

He walked toward the group of worried young men and gave them all a reassuring smile.

“You don’t know how much it means to me to hear you all say that. And I’m fine. Just like all of you, sometimes I have a few down days where I like to just be alone with my thoughts and not bring down the mood of theMaison. I’m sorry that I’ve been a bit distant lately, but seriously, I’m okay. You all mean so much to me, and I’m touched that I mean so much to each of you. But seriously, I’m fine.”

Giving them another gentle look, he turned and walked back toward the door, then stopped.

“How about we all go out for dinner tonight?”

Everyone’s faces lit up—well, everyone except for Diesel—he was way too cool for excitement.

“Okay, go get ready, and I’ll meet you all out front at eight.”

“I’m getting steak,” Jared announced, excited as he ran past Matteo.

“Tofu stir-fry for me,” Teo added, walking out of the room next.

“Chicken fingers for me,” Isaac chirped, leaving the room.

One by one, the guys exited the room until it was just Matteo and Levi left.

Levi stared up at Matteo with his mystic violet eyes, letting Matteo know he saw through him. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

Matteo wrapped his arms around the boy. “Yes, I just need a little space to sort through some things rolling around inside my head. But thank you for checking in.”

“FYI, if this is one of those mid-life crisis things where you begin worrying about getting old and losing all your hair, don’t be. You’re still our sexy daddy who everyone wants to fuck, and you already own at least eight sports cars that are parked in the back of the mansion. So, please don’t buy any more cars… unless they’re for me.”

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